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Next Club Meeting: May 26, 2018,at the Fountaindale Public Library from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the fourth Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Must-see Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2016

San Diego Comic-Con 2016

[Source: blastr] It's where the Avengers first assembled, where we learned Batman would face Superman, and the site of the most incredible Star Wars concert ever (complete with lightsabers).

San Diego Comic-Con, the most important annual event in the geek universe, is back next week, and if you're attending, here are the events you can't miss if you're looking to make your con experience a memorable one.

Why it can't be missed: Who did Negan kill? You can pretty much guarantee that won't be answered at this panel, but you'll definitely learn more about Season 7 (traditionally, we get a trailer but with the top secret nature of the season premiere, that's tough to predict this year).

If you can't get in, try: Entertainment Weekly's "Brave New Warriors" panel at 1:45 in Ballroom 20 with Josh Holloway, Dominic Cooper, Theo Rossi and more is sure to be an interesting conversation.

Dark Horse: Conversations with Joss Whedon

Official description: Joss Whedon has rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here's your chance to find out what he has in store next and get exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, and much, much more!

When/where: Friday 3:45, Hall H

Why it can't be missed: Based on past panels, Whedon will talk a bit about his Dark Horse titles, tell us what else he is working on (at the moment, that's all a big mystery so there may be big news here), and answers questions from the audience in the witty way only he can. If you're a Whedonite, this is the panel for you.

If you can't get in, try: Of course, Neil Gaiman also has more than his fair share of devoted fans, and for those folks, Starz's first look at American Gods takes place at 3:15 in Room 6BCF.

Game of Thrones panel and Q&A session

Official description: Based on the bestselling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, HBO's Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series Game of Thrones concluded its 10-episode sixth season in June and will begin filming its seventh season later this year. The series, executive produced and written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, is an epic story of treachery and nobility, set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years. Cast panelists include (in alphabetical order) John Bradley as Samwell Tarly, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, Conleth Hill as Varys, Faye Marsay as The Waif, Hannah Murray as Gilly, Kristian Nairn as Hodor, Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. Moderated by Rob McElhenney (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia).

When/where: Friday 2:15, Hall H

Why it can't be missed: If you're a GoT fan, you need no further reason to attend (though if you plan to ask George R.R. Martin about the next book, you might be out of luck this year).

If you can't get in, try: If you're more into Coulson than Tyrion, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. holds their season 4 panel in Ballroom 20 at 3 PM.

When/where: Saturday 3:15, Hall HWhy it can't be missed: 20th Century Fox took a pass at highlighting their upcoming films for this panel, but with Alien: Covenant" set for next year, there's a decent chance we will learn about this film (Even if we don't, seeing the cast of Aliens back together should be a treat).If you can't get in, try: Supergirl is moving to the CW and cast and producers will tell us what to expect from the new season at Ballroom 20.

Star Trek

Official description: September 8, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Star Trek's first broadcast. What began as a TV show became a window into the future and a reflection of our greatest hopes and dreams. By envisioning a world where technology and science improve the human condition, and where peace and unity transcend conflict and separation, Star Trek has inspired children, parents, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and viewers around the world. It's also spurred countless real-world innovations and "firsts," giving name to a Space Shuttle (the Enterprise), launching one of the first and most passionate worldwide fandoms, and featuring the first interracial kiss on American network television. Join William Shatner, Scott Bakula, Michael Dorn, Jeri Ryan, and Brent Spiner for a conversation moderated by Bryan Fuller, executive producer of the new Star Trek television series coming to CBS All Access, following its network premiere in 2017.

When/where: Saturday 2 PM, Hall H

Why it can't be missed: Trekkers of all stripes should place this at the top of their list, especially for the opportunity to get a first look at the upcoming Star Trek TV series.

If you can't get in, try:Gotham fans can learn about the hit show's third season at the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront's Indigo Ballroom next door.

Warner Bros. Pictures

Official description: A sneak peek at upcoming releases.

When/where: Saturday 11:30 AM, Hall H

Why it can't be missed: On the eve of Suicide Squad, DC Films comes into Comic-Con with a lot to prove, and most likely some footage of Wonder Woman, to boot. An appearance by the full Justice League could be in the offing, as well (not to mention the cast of Green Lantern Corps hasn't been announced yet).

If you can't get in, try:The Simpsons holds court in Ballroom 20 for those curious as to what they'll do in season 28(!).

Marvel Studios

Official description: Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige and special guests provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.

When/where: Saturday 5:30 PM, Hall H

Why it can't be missed: Every time Marvel Studios does a panel, it's usually the biggest thing at the Con and this year promises to be no different. After taking last year off, they're back and we're sure to get a closer look at Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch alert!), our first glance at Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and maybe even more, with Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok on the horizon.

If you can't get in, try:The Flash and Arrow are giving us a look at their upcoming seasons in Ballroom 20. IF DC is more your thing, check this out, instead.

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C2E2 2018 Cosplay

Recommended Anime

MADE in ABYSS

The Best Anime of 2017

Made in Abyss is centered around an orphan girl named Riko who lives in the town of Orth on an island in the sea of Beoluska. The city surrounds a strange, giant hole going deep into the earth, which is commonly called the Abyss. The Abyss harbors artifacts and remnants of a civilization long gone, and is therefore the popular hunting spot for so-called Cave Raiders, who undertake arduous and dangerous descents into the mist-filled pit to recover whatever relics they can find. However, the deeper one goes into the Abyss, the more they are afflicted by a progressively fatal malady called the Curse of the Abyss once they ascend back; few who have descended into the lower regions have returned to tell of their experiences. Some legendary Cave Raiders earn the title of White Whistle, one of them being Riko's mother Lyza.

Riko's goal is to follow in her mother's footsteps and solve the mysteries of the Abyss. One day she explores the caves and discovers a robot named Reg who resembles a human boy that she and her friends befriend. Some time later, Riko is informed that some items sent by Lyza were recovered, including a message to her, telling her to meet in the bottom of the Abyss. Riko then bids farewell to her friends and departs to the Abyss with Reg in search for her mother, despite knowing of the risks and the fact that due to the Curse of the Abyss, she will never be able to return.

Characters Riko is a trouble-prone 12-year-old girl who wants to emulate her late mother, a legendary Cave Raider named Lyza the Annihilator who disappeared in the Abyss ten years ago. Riko is currently a Cave Raider-in-training at the Belchero Orphanage, and as a rookie bears the rank of Red Whistle. She has secretly taken possession of one of her finds, the Star Compass, which she hopes to use in her exploration of the Abyss. Her poor eyesight stems from the Curse of the Abyss, which she caught when her mother gave birth to her during a mission in the Abyss.

Reg is an amnesic robot in the shape of a human boy. Having no memory of his own name, he was given the name Reg after a dog Riko used to own. Surprisingly, he can consume organic food despite being classified as a machine. His mechanical arms extensible, and can also fire a deadly energy beam capable of melting even stone, which Riko dubs the "Incinerator".

Flashback Corner - Remember This?

THE DIRTY PAIR is a series of sci-fi comedy light novels written by Haruka Takachiho and illustrated by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko that was later adapted into anime and manga versions. The franchise has bounced across multiple formats and production companies, resulting in (so far) eight novels and a few shorter stories, a television series, two OVA series, two OVA features, a feature film, a number of graphic novels, and two short Japanese radio series. The 1985 television series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize for that year.

The stories take place in the years 2138-43, by which time humanity has spread across some few thousand star systems. A corporation called the World Welfare Works Association (WWWA or 3WA) helps member systems of the United Galactica (UG) federation deal with various planetary-scale problems, for profit, by sending agents called "trouble consultants". The series focuses on a team of trouble consultants in that section, named Kei and Yuri, who have a reputation for leaving a trail of destruction behind them, for which they are known publicly as the "Dirty Pair".

Kei and Yuri are the two members of Trouble Consultant team 234, code named "Lovely Angels". Almost every mission they are involved with ends up in disaster, but not failure (they'll catch the crook, but a city may be destroyed in the process), and thus they are more generally known as the "Dirty Pair", a nickname they hate. They are always cleared of any wrongdoing by the 3WA's Central Computer because the extreme collateral damage is never actually their fault (though their mere presence has been known to make things worse). In some but not all continuities, they have joint ESP powers, usually limited to precognition. This talent was the reason they were recruited in the first place.

Kei is a hot-headed tomboy with red hair and tanned skin who wears a silver-white uniform. She favors large weaponry and prefers to "shoot first, ask questions later". The more aggressive of the two, she is also the bustier of the pair and is attracted to manly, muscular men. Yuri is of Japanese ethnicity, and wears a golden-yellow uniform. She often uses non-gun weaponry such as energy whips or throwing cards. While the more feminine of the two, she is known to become very violent when crossed. She is the more bottom-heavy of the team and is also a coy flirt who prefers cultured, refined men. Her most recognized weapon is the Bloody Card, a technologically enhanced throwing card that can be used to take down several people at once.

Gaming Corner

NIER: AUTOMATA is an action role-playing game in which players take the role of combat androids from the YoRHa units across an open world environment. In addition to standard navigation on foot, using a special item allows the player to summon a wild animal to ride, and in some scenarios pilot a flying mech to fight enemies. As with the previous game, during navigation in some environments, the camera shifts from its standard third-person view to an overhead or side-scrolling perspective. Some areas also include platforming elements, requiring the player to navigate via jumping between platforms or over obstacles. The player can complete side quests for non-playable characters found throughout the world. Shops available in hub locations allow the player to purchase items, including consumables which recover health.

Combat is action-based, with the player fighting enemies in real-time in a variety of in-game environments. During battle, the player can use light attacks—which are fast but weak—and heavy attacks—slow and more powerful. The player can evade enemy attacks, and with successfully timed button presses, can gain temporary invulnerability and launch a counterattack which deals heavy damage. The player is also assisted by a Pod, a flying robot assistant which launches customizable ranged attacks varying from simple gunfire to heavy-hitting hammer attacks. Players can access four different weapon types in battle: short swords, long swords, bracers, and spears. While attacking, the player can alternate between both weapon types and attacks to create combination attacks. Attacks with different weapon types can also be charged and launched for increased damage. Weapon Stories, a recurring element in both Nier and the Drakengard series, where weapons found throughout the world have unique stories attached to them, are also featured.

As the players progress, they gain experience levels, increasing their health, defense, and attack power. Character progression is handled through chips, items installed onto the player characters that modify their attributes; these chips provide benefits ranging from altering the HUD, to granting status buffs. The number of chips that can be installed at once are limited by how many slots are available. Chips can either be purchased from shops, or picked up from defeated enemies. If the player dies, they will respawn at their previous save point. The player can then find their original body, and either retrieve items and experience left with it to gain a bonus, or attempt to repair it. Depending on the player's success, the body is either resurrected as a temporary ally, or as an enemy the player can defeat for an extra bonus. With online features enabled, the bodies of other players can also be retrieved or resurrected at the location in which they died.

Anime News Network

What is the plural of "anime"?

Animeis a Japanese word, and since they don't use pluralities in Japanese, "anime" is both singular and plural. Just like the plural of "samurai" is not "samurais." The same goes with the plural of "manga," which is "manga."

Moho Pro 12 (formerly Anime Studio)

Make your own anime!

Clip Studio Paint (formerly Manga Studio)

Create your own manga!

About the Club

The Animatrix Network is a fan club, by fans, for fans of Japanese animation. We helped shape the anime and manga fan community in and around the Chicagoland area since our founding in 1995. Our monthly programming schedule has a wide variety of anime titles ranging from science fiction, comedy, fantasy, horror, romance, and adventure. Join us each month to escape the ordinary world and dive into new realms of imagination!

Membership is FREE

Simply register your name and email address to receive the latest info on club activities, meeting dates, and viewing schedules. At the meetings, we encourage all members to network with one another. It is a great place to discuss your favorite shows with other fans, make friends, and even sell or trade anime or manga.

Be a part of our Animatrix Network and you can open new doors into the fantastic world of the anime fan community.

Contact

For questions about the club, or if you would like to register as a member in order to receive news and special announcements, contact us at anim8trix@sbcglobal.net.

Animatrix Theater Presents "Technotise: Edit i ja" Belgrade 2074. Edit is a student. After a few failed exams...

Musical Moment from 'Sing'

Toon Song Favorite: Jazzman

"Let it Go" from Disney's FROZEN

Welcome [Old Version]

Mighty Orbots - Remember this?

MIGHTY ORBOTS

In the future, Earth is threatened by various enemies, but none worse than the organization called Shadow, lead by the cybernetic menace known as Umbra. Against this, the Galactic Patrol strives to protect Earth, but the mild mannered young scientist, Robert Simmons, does more. In times of peril, he secretly fights as the leader of the Orbots, a team of unique artificially intelligent robots each equipped with their own unique capabilities that are invaluable in this war. Together, whether individually or united as parts of a giant combined robot, they represent Earth's most powerful defense.